ventilation question help

Hello, In orderr to increase our attic ventilation we had a ridge vent installed across our roof. I then sealed off with heavy plastic the gable end vents. There are vented soffit panles pretty much continuoulsy around the front and back of the house. My question is: there is a front porch with a drywall roof. Above this drywall is the attic. I am thinking of putting some more soffit type vents in this- thinking that it cant hurt? Also our house has an atttached garage and I'm thinking of replacing the attic access panel with a screen for the summer. Any opinions on whether or not these are good ideas? bad ideas? Thanks Jason

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The more venting you have the better off you are. I had a guy from a roof vent manufacturer tell me the appropriate venting of a roof would consist of continuous ridge vents, soffit vents and mid span vents every 8'. I told him you let me know if you find a homeowner who wants whirlybird vents every 8' all the way around their homes...

Chances are that with adequate venting around the perimeter, the air would be flowing out of the gable vents and not in. Air flow is like water and electricity; it flows to where there is less resistance. Depending on which way the wind blows, there may even be a vacuum created to draw the air out, or pressure to push air in through the gable and out the vents at the other end.

Even if air flows in, cooler air will sink and should allow the warmer air to rise and exit through the ridge vent.

Thanks for the info everybody, Yes the reason for sealing off the gable end vents is exactly what the earlier post said about dead air spaces. I think venting the porch roof is a good idea- I'm still a bit weary about converting the garage access panel to a screen because I think this may cause the air to just go right up it and create "dead spots" of non moving air over the soffit areas. Maybe this is wrong but I could kind of envision this happening. I do appreaciate all your responses and any further advice you have, thanks Jason